Chusetts



1. L. HILDEBIRAND AND H. H. WANDERS.

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ROOFING.

APPLICATION man MR. 3. 1919.

Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

J. L. HILDEBRAND AND H. H. WANDERS.

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ROOFING. APPLICATION FILED MAR- 3. 1919.

1,435,298. Patented Nov. 14 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEE'I 2.

g TwenZbm J. L. HILDEBRAND AND H. H. WANDERS.

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ROOFING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 3, 1919. Y

Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

A J. L. HlL DEBRAND AND H. H. WANDERS.

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ROOFING.

APPLICATION F lLED MAR. 3| 1919.

Patented Nov; 14,1922;-

6 SHEETS-SHE 4- 720 2 firs.

J. L. HiLDEBRAND AND H. H. WANDERS. MACHINEFOR PACKAGING ROOFING.

. APPLICAfI'ON FILED mm. 3.1919.

1,435,298. Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

6 SHEETSSHEE'I 5.

J. LHILDEBRAND ANDAH. H. WANDERS.

MAJCHINE FOR PACKAGING ROOFINAG. APPLICATION FILED MAR- 3| 1919.

1,435,298. Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

6 SHEETSSHEET 6.

. eral) Patented Nov. 14,1922.

UNlTED' STATES 1,435,298 PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES L HILDEBRAND, OF LYNN, AND HANS H. WANDERS, OF BROOKLINE, MASSAGHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO THE FLINTKOTE COMPANY, 013 BOSTON, MASSACHU-sn'r'is, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ROOFING.

-Appl'lcation filed March 3,

of Germany, residing); at Lynn,yin the county of Essex and StateoilVlassach'uset-ts, and at Broolrline, in the county oi": Norfolk and-State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements inMachines for Packaging R'OOfiIlgyOfii which the following is aspecification. I

In the manufacture of such prepared rooting elements as shingles orshingle strips or slabs, it is customary, after subjecting the sheet offelt to the usual saturating and coating instrumentalities (by which thesheet is first impregnated with pitch, as phalt or other waterproofing'compounc,

coated with a higherunelting-point pitch or asphalt, and surfaced with apartially embedded layer or crushed slate or oth to pass the sheet pr*essively through a machine which cuts it into units.

i. e. into individual shingles or into slabs or strips equal in lengthto the width 01 3' two or more shingles. Such machines operate at hi hsoeed and it has been the shoe nacties to employer numberv oi workmenSillsort, count and steel; the units.

The present invention has for its object to provide mechanism "for use.in connection with the unit-cutting machine for automatically stackingthe units in groups. with the same number of units in each group, sothat they may be properly secured in packages for storage and shipment.

In accordance with the present invention, the stacking or groupingmechanism is coordinated with the cutting mach e, so as to receive theunits delivered thereby, and arrange them in groups or stacks. Inconnecioned at the delivery end of the machine to tion therewith, aconveyor may be employed for delivering the groups some. other pointwhere the stacks or groups may he bound with wire or otherwise packaged.

On the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents in side elevation amachine for cutting sheets of roofing into small units, such shingles orslabs, and a stacking mechanism cooperating therewith. i

Figure 2 represents an end the instriunentalitiesy el evati on oi ermin-v 1919. Serial No. 280,458.

Figure 3 represents an elevation of the stacking mechanism on a largerscale.

Figure 4 shows the stacking mechanism in side elevation.

Figure 5 represents a vertical longitudinal section through the stackingmechanism.

Figurefi showsa portion of the mechanism by which the gate is operated.to divert the units into difierent paths.

Fig. 7 represents a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 represents a section 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 represents a section 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic tion of the stacking mechanism.

In explaining the principles of operation of the instirumentalitiesillustrated on the drawing as constiiiuting an. embodiment oil theinvention, it should he understood that the invention is capable ofvarious other embodiments, that the drawings are more or lessconventional, and that the phrase ology hereinafter contained tor thepur pose of descn-ption and explanation and not of limitation.

One of the serious problems whichmust be solved in the production ofinstrumentalities in stacking roofing units in evenly numbered piles orstacks arises from the on the line on the line rep rescntafact that thecutting machine operates continuously and at relatively high speed, and.

stream and diverting a predetermined. nuinher of units into onereceptacle or holder and the next succeedin oredetermined numb ber ofunits into another receptacle or holder must operate evenly withoutexcessive jar and at very high speed. l n the machiue which we shallherein describe. we have presented a solution of the problem whichhasproved to be satisfactory in commercial operation.

It is quite immaterial what particular form the cutting machine take solong as it is capable of having the sheet 0t rootv ing fed thereto andof cutting iteit'her into shingles or slabs. Any one of a number ofcutting machines may be employed for this purpose, although we haveshownone which in its general features of construction and operationdoes not differ materially Irom those shown in the ported at someclistance from the grease or floor upon a base 11. At 12 and are indicated'cutters which mayeither slit the sheet into a number oflongitudinal strips or else form therein a series of longitudinal slots,

I thisdepending upon whether the machine is for the purpose ofo'roducin'g oblongshingles, or shingle strips or slabs. At 1 1 there isindicated a chopping cutter designed to cooperate with a stationaryblaee by which the sheet is cut transversely so as either to sever thelongitudinal strips into shingles of the desired length or else tocut-the sheet transversely inlines intersecting theslots so as toproduce serrated slabs or shingle strips. This machine is shownas simplyone enemplification of 'shingleforming or slabforming machine which maybe used with instrumentalities embodying our invention.

Any suitable v power-transmitting mechanisms maybe employed foreffecting "the feed of the sheet and the operation of the variouscutters. As the units are cut from the sheet,

they slide down a guide 15 and are delivered to an endless conveyor 16.This conveyor, which consists of a series of belts, is driven at a speedsufhciently high to effect the initial separation between the unitsdelivered thereto from the guide 15 and to project them into thecompartments as the same are by the swinging of the gates. As indicated,the conveyor is driven by pulleys 121 on the shaft 21, the latter beingdriven by a sprocket wheel '22 thereon, a sprocket chain 216 and asprocket wheel 219 on the main drive shaft 19. The main drive shaft, bya pinion 217 and large gear 17, drives the knife shaft 18. The shaft 21is journaled in abracket 23 extending from one end of the frame 107 Theupper stretch-of the conveyor 16 is preferably inclined downwardly andoutwardly so that the units carried thereby can be shot from the end ofthe conveyor into the stacking mechanism. The knife shaft 18 is gearedby the two gears 2 1 and 25to a shaft 26 having a sprocketwheel 27 fromwhich power is conveyed to the operating instrumentalities of thestacking mechanism. The principle upon which the stacking mechanism is'01)- 'erated is diagrammatically shown in Figure 10. Between two spaced opposingwalls (174 and b, there 1s a p voted gate 0 over or under theupper end of which the units are delivreceptacle (5, the lower end ofwhich is closed by the engagement of the lower end of the gatejwith thewall be When a predeten mined number of units have been rielivered intothis receptacle or compartment, the gate is quickly shifted to thedotted line position so to "bring the lower off-set end of the gate intoengagement with the wall a forming temporarily a second ree'e'ptaeleorcompartnient 6, into which a predetermined number of the are, delivered.As the gate swings from the full-line to the dotted line positlo'n, thestack of units the compartment at are deposited in thebox conveyor f. This conveyor moves transversely of the 101igitudinal lines of thecutting machine and the stacking mechanism was to carry the stacks ofroofing unit-sdeliverecl thereto to the front or rear of the machinewhere they may bedepo'sited on the table or manually removed therefromand placedin a binding machine for binding each stack or pile of unitswith straps or 'wires. It is necessary that the gate should move veryrapidly from one position to another, and mechanism for thls purpose isafforded as will be shown.

Proceeding nowro adet'ailed description of the stacking mechanism, itcomprises the two angular frames 28, 29, at the front and rear sides-ofthe mechanism. The lower ends of the frames are secured to and supportedby standards 30, 31, the bases of which are connected together by bars32. At the front side, the frames 30, 31, are pro vided withbearing'brackets 33, on which are supported the adjustable boxes '34 fora shaft 35 on which are mounted the sprocket wheels 36 for a chainconveyorhaving se ries of U-shaped boxes 37, the side walls of which.are spaced far enough apart to receive an upright stack of roofingunits. In Figas being along the guides 10,41 supported by the Theconveyor is moved frames 30, 31.

sprocket wheels As a matter of incidental construe Chain y e providedsufficient speed to ensureithat the stacks of roofing units,

next discharge of units takes place.

The frame bars 28, 29,, are connecter together at their upper ends bythe bars? 13 upon which the gate is pivotally supported, as will beexplained. 15 may beutilizedto ensure the rigidityof the frainework. Thebars I by cross braces 48, 19, 50 and 51, and supported by said crossbraces there is a Wall consisting of one or more sheets 52 of metaldischarged into the bones thereof, are carried toithe rear before theBraces 44 and. struts 28, 28, are bridged formed with parallel ribs Theplate 52 at its lower end overlaps a plate 54 which serves as a guide indirecting the stack of units downwardly into the boxes of the conveyorshown in Figure 5. At its upper end, the plate 52 is formed with theangular portion 55, and. theextremity of the plate extends slightlybeyond the frame bars 28, 28. ()pposing the wall thus formed by theplates 52 ando l, there is another wall. which consists of the twooverlapping ribbed plates 56, 57. The plate 57 has lugs 58 attachedthereto which arepivoted on cross shafts 59 supported by the frame bars29. At its lower end, the plate 56 has similar lugs 60 which arepivotally supported upon the cross shaft 61 supported by the frame bars29. The overlapping ends of these two plates may be temporarily securedtogether by screws and wing nuts 62, 63, so as to form a substantiallycontinuous wall. The plate 57 is angular, as shown in Figure 5, for apurpose to be oescribed. The upper portion of the plate 57 isapproximately paral lel to the plate 53, the latter beingat aninclination greater than the angle of slip so that the individual units,as well as a stack thereof, will slide down it, when permitted.

Between the two plates forming the op posing walls of an inclined chute,there is a gate, as previously explained, which may be constructed inany suitable or convenient way so that it will perform its allottedtunction. As shown, it consists of side bars 64, 64"., having cross bars65, 66 and 73. Bridging the side bars and'secured to the under side ofthe cross bars is a ribbed plate 67, the lower end of which has anangular portion (38 reinforced at its outer edges with side walls 69.The plate 68 serves as a stop against which the units are projected asthey are delivered from the feeding and spacing conveyor. A. secondribbed'plate 70 is secured upon certain of the cross bars 65, and uponthe cross bars 66. This plate is angular, its upper portion Tllying atan acute angle to the corresponding portion ofthe plate 67 and meetingit at its upper edge with the result that the upper end of the gate iswedge shaped. Between the angular portion 71 of the plate 70 and themain body portion is the portion 72, attached to the cross bar 73 andperpendicular to the body portion. This formation is for the purpose ofperinittin the individual roofing units to pass over the angular portion71, and to fall upon. the body portion, thus ensuringthe stacking of theunits on the body portion of the plate 70. The formation of the plate52,

with the offset portion 52*, is for the same purpose, i. e. so that eachshingle shall drop upon the face'of the preceding shingle.

The gate is pivoted or hung upon two stud shafts 74, 741:, placed inbearing brackets or lugs '25 supported upon the members 43 of the frame.The stacking mechanism is so positioned in relation to the unit-formingmachine that the chute formed by the plates and 51. can receive theunits delivered therefrom, and so that the units will pass under thegate when the latter is in one position and will pass over it when it isin the other position, as shown in Figure 1. When the gate is in theposition shown in l igure 5, the rec units are delivered into thecompartments formed by the plate 5?, and the lower end of the gate beingproject ed, by the feeding conveyor against the angular end of the plate57 and resting upon the gate which serves as a movable support therefor;and, when. the gate is swung to its ivered into the compartment formedby the plate 53, the gate and the extension 68, which in this instanceforms a movable stop for the roofing units projected into thecompartment; When the gate swings from one position to the other, itopens one compartment and delivers the stack of units caught" andstacked therein and automath ra ly closes the other compartment to catchand stack the next succeeding units therein. The delivery throat of thechute, between the lower ends of the plates 56 and t'egis ters withtheboxes on the conveyor therebeneath; and the inclination of the memberson which the roofing units rest, as they are being: stacked, ensuresthat the pile or stack will, immediately slide downwardly into theconveyor boxes when it is released.

The mechanism, by which the gate is moved, is operated trom theunit-forming or cutting machine and is timed so that the gate will bemoved only when a predetermined number of units are stacked, thusensuring that all the stacks as delivered to the delivering conveyor areequal in number of units. This mechanism is shown in Figures l, and 6 to9 inclusive. l ower is irnparted thereto by a sprocket chain connectingthe sprocket 2? on the shaft 26 with a sprocket 81 on a shaft 82. Thelatter is mounted in the front frame bar 28. A, cross bar 83 bridges theframe bars 28, 29,

and in it is journaled ashaft 84 which is ro-,

tated by any suitablereducing gearing interposed between it and. thesprocket 81. As shown, there is compounded. with sprocket 81 a smallersprocket which by chain 86 drives sprocket 87 on shaft 88, the latterhaving on its front end a pinion 89 intermeshing with the large gear 90on shaft 84. The parts are so timed that. the shaft 84 rotates'onceduring a plurality of revolu tions (say 1.90 for instance) of the cuttershaft there is a hub 91 provided with an arm. 92,

other extreme of movement, they are On the inner end of shaft 84 with acircular outer concentric flange 93,

and with inner arcuate concentric. flanges 94, 94-, which form. betweenthem a circular iideway. The gate has pinor PI'OjGElDg from the :irontside the n in Figures 8 and 9. A helical s )ri'ng leis connected to thepin 95 and to a pin 97' en the outer end of the arm 92, by means 0'hfoo'lts 98, 99, secured to the ends ofthe spring. The'springs tend topull'the free end of the grate toward the outer end of the arm, hot thisis resist-ed by the arcuate flanges 9 1' until the pin registers withone or the other of the gaps 100, 101, between the ends of the fiancee;ASSUIHiIlg the pa to he in the position conventionally shown in Figures8 and 9 with the pin 95'; register-ine with gap 100, as a result otther" tativ e movement of the hub 91, the

spring" 96 will snap the pin through both gaps 100 101. until it engagesthe flange 93',"as a result of which the lower end of the g ate will bemoved with. great rapidity to tl'ie lett, During the continued rotationof the hub'and tl'ie arm 92., the pin 95 will be held in thelast-mentioned position until the gap 100 again registers with the pinwhereupon the spring which has been again stretched, willsnap the pin 95to the right and move the lower end of the gate to the right. Thus,during each complete rotation oi? the shaft 84: and hub 91. the gatewill he swung); iirst in one direction and then in the other theintervals between these movements being identical, and being coordinotedwith therevoliiltions ofthe knife of the cutter. to ensure the samenumber of rooting; units always being" delivered for a shingle stack. Ifdesired, the pin 95 may be mounted in the slide 102 arranged in aguideway in the front side bar 6 1- of the grate and extend through aslot in a plate Eqnahmng springs 103 secured thereto. 104-, 1041-, inrecessed block 105, bear against the inner end of the pin 95. To assistin holding the lower end of the gate in one position or the other, andto equalize the weight, 055 the stock. thereon, we may employ ahelicalspring" 107 connected at one end by a hook with a pin 108 on the rearside ofthe gate near its lower end, and connectedatits other end with ascrew eye 109 on a lint: .10. Thelatter is pivoted on a stud 111extending upwardly and to the left from the rear bearing bracket 75, theaxes of stud 111, stud shattsi' l and shaft- 84-. "being allinapproximately the same plane.

q The linli' 110 is 'i orined with an elliptical.

loop through which the rear stud shaft 74 extends, so as not tointerfere with the swinging movement or said link. As the pin 108 swingsinone direction or the other, past its dead center position in referenceto the axis 'dt' the shaft 84:, the spring 107 tends to'holdit'alternately in its normal positions I of rest and to counterbalancethe gradu *o't into the groove or guideway asv ally increasing weight ofthe stack being formed,

[In order that the rooiingunits may be guided troni the conveyor 16until they ent the stacking inachine,fthere are a plurality oi'stripguides 115 which atone end are supported on'a cross rod 116,extending between the upper ends of the frame bars above said portions,where said units pass. 1 under the end of the gate.

in op-ei."ation,tlie sheet oi'rooting is fed coi'itinuously"by the usualfeeding rolls (not shown) through the unitforming machine. aiidis formedinto units of the desired char-- acter. As finally formed or severed theunits are receivedhy the conveyor 16, which constitutes an intermediatefeeding mechanism, which, travelling at a higher rate of speed than thesheet 0i roofing spaces the units apart in the direction of their trzwelso that there is an appreciable intervalbetn' een there'ar edge of'oneunit and the for oot thenext one succeeding it. As smiling that the gateis in the position shown in l ieure 5, theunits pass over the inclinedend ofthe gat'e and drop onto the lower end of the gate their tiiitl'ierprogress being: stopped'when'they abut against the vertical portionoifplate 57 which thus serves as a mately 180,the arin92 reaches a positionabout perpendicular to the gate and the springs 96 drawthe pin 95through the gaps between the aretiateflane'es 94 and thus shift thegrate from the full line position in. Figg- As this ure 4; to the dottedline posit-ion. occurs, the stack or stacks ofrooling units. whichweresupported by the lower end of, the grate, dropdownwardly intotheboxes of the delivery conveyor and are carried later i ally orrearwardly 'tli foin the machine to .a

point where theymay be removed or deliv'eredto a suitable receptacle.Thetiming is such that the upper end o fthe gate is lift edjustbeforethe iorwardedge oi an on coming roofing unit reaches it, sothat the unit passes under the upper end oft-he gate. The gate remainsinfthis posltlon until a predetermined number of units are delivered.under the edge of the gate to form the stack, whereupon, the shaft 84having rotated through an arc of 180, the springs 96 snap the pinthrough the gap between the flanges 94 to the right, thus swinging theupper end of the gate forwardly and down wardly to cause the units topass over it. The units successively engage the plate 68 which forms astop and they are supported on the rib plate 52, from which they aredropped when the gate is again swung to its alternate position.

In lieu of employing ribbed plates to form the opposing walls in thestacking mecha nism, strips of wood or metal may be employed,- as willbe readily understood. The

reason for providing the two overlapping hinged or pivoted plates 56,57, instead of a single plate, is to permit them to be swung about theiraxes and thus afford access to the interior of the chute, from the endof the machine.

In considering the instrumentality which we have termed the gate, itwill be seen that it performs two different functions, which, ifdesired. could be performed by two different instrumentalities. That is,the upper endof the gate performs the function of a switch for directingthe flow of units from the forming or cutting machine, automatically andalternately into separate paths. The lower end of the gate serves thefunction of arresting the flow of diverted units until. a pile or stackthereof is formed, and then automatically delivering the formed pile orstack. Thus the machine is provided with a switch or means forintermittently diverting or directing the flow of units into divergentpaths, and an arrestor or means for arresting the diverted units until apile or stackthereof is formed, although, as we have said, theseelements for the sake of simplicity of construction in the presentembodiment of the invention are formed together in a single element orinstruniientah ity, since the same operating mechanism may be employed.for actuating the switch and the arrestor.

Having thus explained the nature of our said invention a-nd'described away of malting and using the same, although without attempting to setforth all of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes ofits use, what we claim is: i

1. The combination with a conveyor for feeding articles in succession,of means for arresting and supporting the said articles in superposedrelation as they are fed thereto by said conveyor, a conveyor below saidmeans, and automatic mechanism by which said articles are dropped intosaid conveyor without reversing the position of said articles when apredetermined number thereo have been delivered to said. arresting and.holding means. I

2. The combination of a conveyor adapted. to feed roofing units insuccession at relatively high speed, a stop and a support located belowsaid conveyor to arrest and sup port said units in superimposedrelation, a conveyor below the last-mentioned mechanism, and automaticmechanism for causing said units to be dropped onto said last-mentionedconveyor without reversing the position of said articles when apredetermined number thereof have been piled on said sup porting means.

3. The combination of a re"eiving conveyor, a stop or arrester, meansfor feeding the articles in succession against said stop or arrester,and means located to receive the articles as they are fed against saidstop and for supporting them until a predetermined number have beendelivered and then to drop them onto said conveyor without reversing theposition of said articles.

4-. The combination of a receiving conveyor, a feeding conveyor forfeeding the articles successively, a support below the end of thefeeding conveyor onto which said .articles are delivered by the feedingconyeyor in superimposed relation, a stop against which said articlesare fed by said feeding conveyor, and automatic mechanism for causingsaid articles to be delivered from said supporting mechanism withoutreversing the position of said articles when a predetermned number havebeen piled thereon by said feeding conveyor.

5. The combination of a movable support, a stop, means for feeding thearticles successively into engagement with said stop and onto saidmovable support, a receiving conveyor below said support, and means forantomatically operating said support, when a predetern'iined number ofarticles have been delivered thereon, to drop them onto said conveyorwithout reversing the position of said articles.

6. The combination of a stationary support arranged at an inclination, amovable stop, means for feeding the articles successively against saidstop and onto said support, a receiving conveyor below said support, andmechanism for automatically moving said stop, when a predeterminednumber of said articles have been delivered onto said support, to permitthem to be dropped onto said receiving conveyor without reversing theposition of said articles.

7. In combination, an endless conveyor adapted to feed the articles inspaced-apart relation, a stop located beyond the conveyor against whichsaid articles are projected by said. conveyor, a support arranged toreceive said articles in piled relation, and mechanism operated autmatically, when a prede termined number of said articles have been piledon said support, to cause said articles to be dropped from said stop andsupport without reversing the position of said articles.

8. A stacking mechanism adapted to be arranged at the delivery end of aunit-deliverlng machine, and comprising a stationary chute, a switch fordelivering predetermined numbers of units alternately into separatepaths, an arrester in said chute tor arresting the units in each pathuntil a stack there of is formed, and means for automatically actuatingsaid switch and said arrester.

9. A stacking mechanism adapted to be arranged at the delivery end of aiimitdelivering machine, and comprising a chute arranged to receive theunits delivered by said machine, a gate arranged in said chute havingmeans for diverting predetermined numbers of units alternately intoseparate paths, said gate having means for arresting the flow of unitsuntil. a group or stack thereof is formed, and then releasing said groupor stack, and operating mechan isu'i i'or actuating said gateautomatically.

10. The combination with a feeding conveyor, a stacking mechanismadapted to receive the articles delivered by said conveyor, andcomprising means for automatically and intermittently directing the tlowot the articles through dillerent paths into separate piles or stacks,and meansby Which said. stacks are automatically released and droppedwhen a predetermined number of articles have been piled in said stacksrespectively.

11. A stacking mechanism comprising a i chute, a gate therein, means forautomatically operating said gate alternately to divert predeterminednumbers of articles dehvcred to said chute in one or the other ofseparate paths and to arrest the diverted ar ticles in the chute until astaclr thereof is formed, and then to drop the completed stacln i 12. Astacking u' echanism comprising a chute and a gate therein cooperatingallernately with the opposite walls of the chute to form receiving andstacking compartments in the chute, said gate being provided w th aswitch for diverting the articles into said compartments, and mechanismfor automatically operating said gate upon the del very of apredetermined number of articles into one orthe other of saidcompartments.

13. Stacking mechanism comprising a chute and a gate therein cooperatingalternately with the opposite walls oi: the chute to form receiving andstacking compartments, said gate being provided with a. switch fordiverting the units into one or the other of such compartments until]3I'6CltBIflIll IlBCl number of units has been. delivered Mechanism forstacking or grouping prepared roofing units, comprising a chute havingopposing walls, an oscillatory gate arranged between said walls tocooperate in alternation therewith to form unit'receiving and stackingcompartments and provided with a switch to divert the units into saidcompartments, and mechanism for I automatically oscillating said gate,in combination with means below said gate to receive and removethestacks liberated t'rom the alternz'itcly-formed compartments.

l6. Mechanism for stacking or grouping prepared roofing units,comprising a chute having opposing walls, an oscillatory arrangedbetween said walls to cooperate in alternation therewith to formunit-receiving and stacking compartments and provided with a switch todivert the units into said compartments, and mechanism for operatingsaid gate including arevoluble arm. thereon, a spring. connectionbetween the arm and the gate, and devices restraining said gate frommovement except at predetermined points in the revolution of said arm.

17. A mechanism for stacking or grouping prepared roofing unitscomprising nonhorizontal opposing walls :torminga chute, a pivoted gatearranged to engage said walls in alternation to form stacking compartments and provided with: a switch to control the passage of theunits into said: compartments, and mechanism for actuating said gateincluding a rotary shaft, an arm thereon, a pin on said gate, aspringconnection between said pin and the free end of said arm, andsegmental guides disposed about the axis of said shaft for restrainingthe operation of said gate except at predetermined points in therotation of said shaft.

18. A mechanism for stackii'ig prepared roofing units, comprising aninclined chute with opposing walls, one of which is re cessed to form aunit-receiving space, a gate pivoted between said walls and having aunit-arresting end adapt-ed to engage said walls in alternation to" formtherewith a stackdorming compartment, said gate having a switchfOIIZOIllZIQlllHg the pass the units into one or the other or salt.compartments, said gate being formed in of said switch to provide on itsupper portion a unit-receiving space, and means for automaticallyoperating 1.9. In a stacking mach; o, a tr for, a wall, in said frame,means to do i units to be stacked upon said wall, mea 1.: cooperatingwith said wall to retain the units thereon until a predetermined nurnherhave been deposited and formed into a stack or bundle and to rcleasethcstack or bundle when iiormed, said wall being inclined. to thehorizontal equal to or g 2' than the angle of slip so that the stem orbundle of units when released slide by gravity down the inclined wall.

20. In a stacking machine, a frame ther for, an inclined wall in saidframe, means todeliver flat elements tonbe stacked in a pile upon saidwall, said well being inclined at an angle such that'the elements andthe stack of elements formed thereoi. will tend to slide down said wall,and means to tain the elements on said wall until a stack has beenformed, and then to release the stack. I

21. In a stacking mechanism, a train: therefor, an upper and a lowerinclined wall in saidtrame, a gate or swi ch pivoted. between said wallsand ted to contact at lower end alternately n th the upper and with thelower walls to term receptacles to receive units successively depositedtherein in superposed relation, the angle of the lower wall and theangle of the gate, whenits lower end contacts with toe lower wall, beingsuch that the stacks or units will tend to slide thereon whcntreo tomove.

22. In a stacking machine, frame therefor, upper and lower inclinedwalls in a 1 frame,.j a gate or switch pivoted to frame, having itslower end so arrange-u that it is adapted to contact with the lower endsof the upper and lower walls torm-- ing receptaclesrespectively ther ithfor the reception'of units successively delivered thereto, means on theupper end of the lower wall to guide said units in their course so thateach successive unit delivered to the receptacle formed therewith by thegate or switch will be deposited on top oi the pro ceding ones in astack or bundle, and means on the upper end of said gate for gr'd ngrthe units delivered to the receptacle formed between the upper wall andsaid gate so that each successive unit will be deposited on top of thepreceding onesto form a start: or bundle. I p

23. In a stacking machine, aframe there for, an inclined wall insaid'li'rame, means for delivering units to said stacking ma go o.

for, an inclined wall in said frame, means for delivering units to saidstacking machine'to be stacked, means on the inclined wall for guidingthe units so that they will be deposited onsaid wall one upon another ina stack or bundle, means for retaining said units upon said wall until apre" mined number have been deposited in the stack or bundle, andautomatic means for releasing said stack or bundle when thepredetermined number of units have been deposited thereupon.

means for re- 2!. ln a stackingmachiue, a frame there: I

for, inclinediuppe r and lower walls therein, a gate or switch pivotedbetween said u er and lower walls and adapted to contact at its lowerend with the upper, and lower walls to form receptacles alternatelytherewith for reception of units to stacked, means for deliveri suchunits to said receptacles, and means on the upper end of said lower walland on the upper end of said gate, tor the units in the course so thatthey other in a stack bundle in the s. u e taclcs ined alternately bysaid gate in con unction with the lower wall and with upper wall. I v

p 26. In a stacking machine, a frame therefor, inclined upper and lowerwalls therein, a gate orswitch pivoted betweensaid upper and. lowerwalls adapted to contact at lxlR lower end with the upper and lowerWalls to form receptacles alternately therewith for the reception ot'units to bestacked, means. for delivering such units to said receptaclesnjmeans on the upper endot said lower wall and means on theupper end of said gate for guiding the units in their course so thatthey will be deposited one upon another in a stack or bundle in'therespective receptacle formed by said gate with the lower wall and withthe upper wall, and means for releasing said stacker bundle when apredetermined number of units have been deposited.

27. In combination, a shingle stacking machine and a Conveyor, saidstacking machine having a :trame, a wall in said frame. inclined to thehorizontal at an angle equal to or greater than the angle of sllp andadapted to receive unitsthereon tobe stacked.

number of units have been deposited inn stack or bundle, a receptaclevon said conveyor, and means whereby the stack or bundle ofv units isdeposited in the receptacle with the units in a vertical position.

28. In combination, a shingle stacking machine and a conveyor associatedthere.- with, said stacking machine having a frame and a wall therein,said wall being inclined at an angle to the horizontal, equal .to orgreater than the angle of .slip, so that units or stacks of unitsthereon .will tend to slide thereon, means. for delivering units to bestacked on said plate one upon another, means ,to holdsaid units on saidwall until a predetermined number oi units have been deposited one uponanother to form. a stack and to release said stack when formed, andreceptacle on said conveyor adapted to be. brought into. position toreceive said stack from the stacker when released, the relation of theparts being such thatthe stack is delivered tothe last-mentionedreceptacle with the units in an upright position.

29. In. combination, a stacking machine comprising a frame, a walltherein having an inclination to the horizontal equal to or greater thanthe angle of slip, means to deliver units to be stacked onto saidinclined wall one upon another in a stack,

means to hold the units on said wall until a predetermined number havebeen deposited in said stack and ,to release the stack when formed, aconveyor having one end thereof adjacentthe lower end of said wall,receptacles on said conveyor adapted to receive the stacks of units,means associated withsaid stacking, machine and conveyor for guiding thestacks from said stacking machine to said receptacleso. that the unitsstack of a predetermined number of units has been formed and to releasesaid stack when formed, a receptacle adapted to be located belowthelower end of; said wall, and means to guide the stack to saidreceptacle so thatit will be deposited in said receptacle with the unitsresting on their edges.

81. In combination, a stacking machine having a frame, a conveyorarranged at an 6 less than the angle of slip and for delivering' unitsto be stacked to said stacking machines, a wall in aid frame inclined atan angle equal or to greater than the angle of slip, means associatedtherewith to so guide the uni s. that they W l h deno lt den a wall oneupon another in a stack, ineans as" sociated with said wall again twhich. the elements impinge when delivered to form sa d stack, saidmeans preventing further progress oi the units until a staclr oi apredeten inined number has been formed and releasing; said stack whenformed, a receptacle adapted to be brought below the lower end of s lwall in position to receive the stack as it s Lherei'roin, and means to.guide said stack when released so that it will be delive cred to said.receptacle with the units thereotlf in upright position.

32. In combination, a stacking machine having a frame and a wall saidframe inciined to the horizontal at such an angle that elementsdeposited. thereon will tend to slide thereon and be precipitated fromits lower means to delier elements so that they t wall one upon another,means to limit the movement of said element on said wall untilfapredetermined number have leen deposited one upon another in a stack andto release said stack when so formed, receptacle adapted to be brought.

U110 a position relative to the lower. end of said wall so as to receivesaid stack from said wall, and means to guide said stack in deliveringthe same to said receptacle. so that the stack will be deliveredthereon.

In combination, a. stacking machine having trains, upper and lower wallsin said ti rame, a switch pivoted to swing its lowerend into contactwith the lower ends of said walls to form unit-receiving),- receptaclestherewith, means for delivering: units upon s switch tlat one'uponanother to form a stack when. its lower end in contact with said upperwall, and upon said lower wall when said switch in contact therewith,said.

switch and said lower wall being inclined to the horizontal. at an angleor to'pcreater than the angle of slip, so that the lllllhS or stacks ofunits thereon. will. tend to le therefrom by gravity when released, aconveyor having receptacles adapted to be brought in position. relativeto the lower ends of said switch and 01? said lower wall to receive thestacks there from, and means for depositing); said stacks in saidreceptacles 1 Set. In combination, a stacking machine having iramaa wallsupported in said frame at an angle to the horizontal equal to p orgreater than the angle of slip, means for depositing units thereom meansforlimiting the sliding), of said units from said wall untilprcdetermined number are deposited in a stack or bundle, said limit'means being adapted to release saidstacl; or bundle when formed, andmeans at the lower end oi. said wall for guiding said stack or bundle sothat the stack or bundle will be depositedin a re ceptacle placedbeneath the inclined wall with he u t mai s nth edges 35. Incombination, a unit stacking machine, means for delivering units to saidmachine, said mean being sloped at an angle less than the angle oi slipand being power driven, said stacking machine having a wall located atan angle equal to or greater than the angle of slip, said delivery meansbeing adapted to deliver units upon said wall one upon another in astack, and automatic mean for limiting movement of said units on Saidwall until a predetermined number have been delivered and for releasingthe stack when formed 36. In combination, a unit stacking ma chine,means for delivering units to said machine, said means being sloped atan angle less than the angle of slip and being power driven, saidtacking machine having a Wall located at an angle to or greater than theangle of slip, said delivery means being adapted to deliver units uponsaid wall one upon another in a stack, automatic means for limitingmovement of saidunits on said wall until a predetermined number havebeen delivered and for releasing the stack when formecha movablereceptacle adapted to be brought adjacent the lower end of said wall,and mean associated with said wall adapted to guide said stack to saidreceptacle so that the units will rest therein on their edges.

'In testimony whereof we have aflixed our signatures.

JAMES L. HILDEBRAND.

HANS H. WVANDERS.

